“Tank” Davis knocked out Frank Martin and defended his WBA lightweight title

LAS VEGAS (AP) Gervonta “Tank” Davis made a triumphant return to the ring after greater than a 12 months away, once more showing why he’s the most effective boxers value his weight in gold.

Armed with punching power not typically related to a lightweight fighter, Davis took full advantage of his skills on Saturday night, dominating Frank Martin and knocking him out at 1:29 of the eighth round to retain his WBA championship.

“I knew he couldn’t get up after he fell,” Davis said.

Davis hit Martin with rights and two lefts to the face, sending the Indianapolis native to the canvas for his first profession loss after winning his first 18 fights. Tank once more proved to be one in every of the fiercest hitters in boxing, improving to 30-0, all but two by knockout.

Before the fight, he predicted an eight-round knockout.

“I just threw it out. Next fight in the first round,” Davis said with a smile.

In our opinion, this fight showed why Davis, a Baltimore native and resident, was the clear favorite at 7-1 BetMGM Sportsbook.

This fight between the 29-year-olds was the important attraction of the a hundredth night of championship fights on the MGM Grand Garden Arena, which has been replaced by the T-Mobile Arena because the premier combat sports venue in Las Vegas. On this occasion, there have been 4 title fights, including the interim WBC light heavyweight championship, which David Benavidez defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk by unanimous decision.

However, there was little question who could be the important attraction of the evening, which was clear at Wednesday’s press conference. Davis and Martin exchanged banter during Wednesday’s news conference. Then, as each boxers struck traditional poses, Davis pretended to take a swing at Martin. Martin flinched and Davis left the rostrum laughing.

It was Davis’ first fight since April 22, 2023, when he landed a devastating left uppercut that scored a seventh-round knockout of Ryan Garcia at T-Mobile Arena. Garcia, wearing a T-shirt that read “Fan Tank No. 1,” congratulated and hugged the champion after his victory over Martin.

The 421-day break had already made itself felt when Martin won two of the primary three rounds, including a right that caught Davis within the face.

This looked as if it would get up Davis, who then took over the fight, sending Martin repeatedly into the ropes and corners. Davis appeared able to finish Martin with several hard punches within the sixth round, knocking the 13,239 tank supporters to their feet.

“I had to get in the right range,” Davis said. “He has a nice jab. I had to break it in the middle of a fight.”

Then within the eighth round, Davis put to rest any doubts by charging after Martin early within the round and then knocking him out mid-round. While Martin was counting out, Davis jumped on the second rung of the ropes, jumped off, then climbed to the highest ropes and he did a backflip and stuck the landing.

“I got caught on a shot I didn’t see,” Martin said. “It was coming from below.”

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Benavidez (29-0) made a successful debut, moving up from super middleweight. The Las Vegas resident defeated Gvozdyk (20-2), a Ukrainian native who trains in Oxnard, California, by scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109.

Dominican Republic’s Alberto Puello (23-0) won the interim WBC super lightweight world title via split decision over Gary Russell (17-1) of Capitol Heights, Maryland. Two judges gave Puello the win on scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while one other scored it 118-109 for Russell.

Dominican middleweight champion Carlos Adames (24-1) defended his WBC belt with a unanimous decision over Terrell Gausha (24-4-1) of Encino, California. Two judges scored the fight 118-110, the opposite 119-109.

Heisman Trophy winner and Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was amongst those in attendance. Also in the gang were Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard, Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, coach Antonio Pierce, and Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis.